As Phase One of the Reading Viaduct Rail Park sets to open this spring, Harry K. takes us on a ride along the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, one of the earliest railroads in America

The decade-old Reading Viaduct Project will merge with Friends of the Rail Park to help manage the first phase of the park, set for construction next year, and to work toward the vision of a combined elevated-submerged three mile linear park

The submerged City Branch railroad–the subject of so much debate today–was not only one of the earliest rail lines in the US, it was also the place where train engine technology was developed and massive manufacturing occurred. The best known of these manufacturers was Baldwin Locomotive Works, but Harry K has the story of another, the early rail powerhouse, Norris Locomotive Works

Design for a proposed park along the submerged City Branch railroad is pushing “continuity and connectivity,” along with a bold entrance in front of the School District headquarters on North Broad Street. We have insight on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead

With planning to begin on the underground City Branch railroad connecting to the Reading Viaduct, we asked our contributor Stephen Stofka to provide an alternate vision for light rail extending from the heart of Center City to Fairmount Park and beyond. He says it could cost a fraction of the cost of green space and is practically “shovel ready”

With planning to begin on the underground City Branch railroad connecting to the Reading Viaduct, we asked Paul vanMeter of ViaductGreene to present his vision for turning the railbed into a linear park–a search for authenticity and connectivity in the changing city